Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam, also commonly known as Vizag, is one of the oldest port cities in the country.
Situated in the heart of Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam is known for its picturesque beaches and serene landscape, as well as a rich cultural past.
The port of Visakhapatnam is renowned for being home to the oldest shipyard in all of India.
Located a short distance away from Visakhapatnam is Araku Valley, one of the prime attractions of Vizag.
Situated at a lofty 910 metres above sea level, Araku Valley is a hill station replete with gushing waterfalls, crystal clear streams, lush green gardens and some challenging trekking trails.
Vizag is dotted with many beaches along its coastline, with the most famous one being the Yarada Beach.
One of the most stunning places to see in all of Visakhapatnam, Yarada beach is surrounded by majestic hills on three sides, and by the Bay of Bengal on the other side.
One of the best things about Vizagβs beaches is that they are a lot cleaner and a lot less crowded than other famous beaches along the Indian coastline, and Yarada beach is no exception.
It is the perfect place to sit back on the golden sands and witness a marvellous sunrise or sunset.
If youβre a history lover, the Borra Caves are one of the best tourist attractions that Vizag has to offer for you.
Nestled amidst the Ananthagiri Hills in Araku Valley, the Borra Caves are over thousands of years old and are the biggest among all the caves found in India.
Made entirely of natural karstic limestone, the caves are kaleidoscopic in nature, and the light falling on the rocks coupled with the waterfalls creates an extremely colourful effect, lending an aura of magic and mysticism to the entire ambience.
The Katiki Waterfalls, situated a short distance away from the Borra Caves, is a gushing waterfall that measures around 50 feet in height and is completely surrounded by the lush greenery of the valley.
The crystal-clear water cascading down the rocks, bordered by the gleaming green foliage is a sight for sore eyes.
Being a coastal area, the primary cuisine of Visakhapatnam includes seafood, as well as traditional Andhra South Indian cuisine.
While Visakhapatnam is not exactly renowned for being a shopping destination, you will still find a lot of things that you can take back home.
You can purchase a wide variety of stuff starting from handicrafts to Kalamkari paintings to wooden toys to even gorgeous Pochampalli and Ikat sarees.
#Machilipatnam
The port town of Machelipatnam nestled on the banks of River Krishna is one of the most popular tourist attractions of South India.
Steeped in rich historical past, the town still reflects the footprint of several foreign invaders in the country.
In fact, Machelipatnam is believed to be one of the first colonial settlements of the British along Coromondal Coast in Indian Subcontinent.
Once served as a prominent port town, it later changed hands with several invaders including British, Arab, French and Dutch. Besides such a glorious past, this town today offers its visitors a perfect place to relax along its pristine and alluring beaches and an ideal place to relive the past through majestic historic monuments and traditional artifacts.
All in all, this beautiful town which is also known as Masulipatnam, Masula or Bandar is always ready to surprise you.
#Vijayawada
Nestled on the banks of River Krishna in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada is the second-largest populated city in the state.
Known as the βcommercial, political and media capital of Andhra Pradeshβ, the city is one of the most rapidly growing urban cities in India.
Covered by hills and canals, Vijayawada is also home to numerous caves and rock-cut temples carved out of these caves.
Vijayawada is an amalgamation of the old world and the new; the air echoes with the clanking of temple bells mixed with the cacophony of traffic, the ancient monuments stand in perfect harmony with the modern architecture of the metro city.
Among the most popular places to visit in Vijayawada are Bhavani Island, Victoria Museum, Hazratbal Mosque, Rajiv Gandhi Park, and Kolleru Lake etc., in addition to the host of temples and several caves.
Other than this, the city is mostly a base to explore the nearby attractions like the Undavalli Caves, Kondapalli Fort, and Mangalagiri Hill etc.
Amaravathi
Known as the Capital of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravathi is a planned city on the banks of the River Krishna.
Amaravathi is renowned for being a site of a Buddhist Stupa that is a semi-hemispherical structure containing Buddhist relics and often called the Abode of God.
Located 32 kilometres north of Guntur District, Amaravati is a prime hub of pilgrimage and sightseeing.
The original structure was established during the reign of Emperor Ashoka which is now a meditation site in the city.
Being built on a 217km riverfront, the city is designed to have 51% of green spaces.
Its foundation stone was laid on 22 October 2015 by prime Minister Narendra Modi.
After the separation into two states in the year 2014, Hyderabad was declared the capital city of the then newly formed state Telangana.
It led to Amaravathi being chosen as the Capital of Andhra Pradesh.
The word Amaravathi in itself was derived from the ancient capital of Satavahana dynasty.
Pilgrims visit this town almost throughout the year owing to the number of temples and shrines that adorn the little town in different parts.
Anantapur
Anantapuram is the headquarters of Anantapur District in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
Anantapuram is not a cosmopolitan city. Neither is it a village.
It is one of those towns in transition, that is at the confluence of the past and the future. Anantapuram reverberates with flashes of India's glorious history and the true ethnic traditions and values of India.
Interestingly, Anantapur receives the second-lowest rainfall in India.
Anantapur has seen the rule of many empires, but the Vijayanagar Empire has had a greater impact on it.
It is said that the place has derived its name from 'Anaatasagaram', a big tank, which translates into 'Endless Ocean'.
Chikkavodeya, the minister of the Vijayanagar King, Bukka-I constructed the town of Anaatasagaram and Bukkarayasamudram.